People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 158, Flower Arrangement and Jade Play, I'll Help You From Now On.
Nongyu and Zinu both looked at Xu Qing nervously. Under their gazes, Xu Qing nodded.

“This Fire Rain Agate is something Miss Nongyu has worn since childhood, so it can’t be wrong. Besides, you and Madam Hu are quite similar in both hair color and appearance, so there’s no mistake,” Xu Qing said.

"Really?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Nongyu felt a sense of unreality.

The mystery of her origins, which she had been searching for so desperately, was now found so easily, making her feel like she was in a dream, fearing that when she woke up, it would all be just wishful thinking on her part.

“Of course it’s true. Once you meet Madam Hu, you’ll believe me,” Xu Qing said.

"Is Nongyu's father Liu Yi, the Right Sima?" Zi Nu suddenly asked.

Every day after Liu Yi got drunk, he would argue with him to accompany him. If he really was his father, then this was too absurd.

Nongyu looked at Xu Qing with a complicated expression, her pink lips moving slightly. Just as she was about to ask a question, she saw Xu Qing shake his head.

"No, Liu Yi is not Nongyu's father. His biological father is Li Kai, the Right Sima who conquered Baiyue back then."

Xu Qing looked at Nongyu with a solemn expression. He was considering whether to tell her the truth about Huoyu Manor. This matter concerned her background, and she had the right to know.

Hearing Xu Qing's words, Nongyu felt slightly relieved.

"Li Kai, the Right Sima from back then?" Zi Nu glanced at Nong Yu, recalling information about Li Kai, and said.

"It is said that the commander of the Korean expedition against Baiyue was Bai Yifei, the current Marquis of Blood Robe, and his two generals were Li Kai, the Right Sima, and Liu Yi, the Left Sima."

"However, back then, Right Sima Li Kai disobeyed military orders, colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country, and ultimately died tragically under a hail of arrows. From then on, the name Li Kai was branded on the pillar of shame."

Upon hearing this, Nongyu felt a pang in her heart and looked at Xu Qing and Zi Nu with unease.

Although she had never seen her parents, their image was deeply rooted in her heart. They were so gentle and kind, they didn't seem like the kind of people who would betray their country.

Seeing Xu Qing's hesitant expression, Zi Nu leaned forward slightly, her purple eyes revealing a seductive charm, and spoke in a captivating, mature voice.
"Judging from the Imperial Physician's expression, there must be some unknown secret hidden behind this old story, right?"

"Yes, behind this matter lies a bloody path to power. I can tell you the truth, but I need Miss Nongyu to promise me one thing," Xu Qing said with a sigh.

"Alright, what does the Imperial Physician need me to do?"

Nongyu's eyes revealed determination. No matter what Xu Qing asked her to do, as long as she could be told the truth about what happened back then, she was willing to do it.

"After recognizing Madam Hu, we must not tell her the truth. This is all for her own good," Xu Qing said.

"Why?" Nongyu asked, puzzled.

"You'll understand once you hear the whole truth. It all started with a power struggle."

"The current king was once an unfavored prince, while Ji Wuye has become the strongest general in Han by defeating the Chu army. In order to gain more power, he chose to support the king to become the crown prince."

"Having been weak for a century, the martial spirit of the state had declined. The best way for the two to vie for the crown prince position was through military merit. Therefore, they instigated internal strife among the Baiyue people and used this opportunity to join forces with the state of Chu to quell the Baiyue rebellion."

As they listened to Xu Qing's account, the truth about Korea's attack on Baiyue and the Huoyu Mountain Villa massacre gradually came to the attention of the two.

Zi Nu and Nong Yu were also shocked by the truth behind this. They never would have imagined that it was Liu Yi who ordered the Three Wolves with Broken Hair to destroy Huo Yu Manor.

Furthermore, he plotted to trap Li Kai in a great siege, and afterwards falsely accused Li Kai of treason and defection, ultimately seizing Madam Hu.

Nongyu understood why Xu Qing didn't want Madam Hu to know the truth; the truth was too cruel, and her mother might not be able to accept it.

“Mother, she…she has really suffered,” Nongyu said, her voice trembling.

"That's why I don't want Madam Hu to know the truth. At least not before Liu Yi dies," Xu Qing said.

He had considered having Nongyu tell Madam Hu the truth, but he worried that Madam Hu, knowing that Nongyu was still alive and that she had devoted herself to her husband's killer for many years, would choose to take her own life after having no more attachments.

"I understand the good intentions of the Imperial Physician, and I will not tell my mother."

Nongyu nodded and said, then looked at Xu Qing with burning eyes and asked...
"Imperial Physician, is there anything I can do to help with your and my aunt's plans?"

Although she appears gentle and refined, how could someone who has endured numerous calamities and remained steadfast in her principles be truly weak?

Nongyu appears delicate, but she is resolute and determined at heart; she embodies the perfect balance of gentleness and strength.

“I know you’re after revenge, but my plan has already begun. All we have to do now is wait for Liu Yi to bring about his own demise,” Xu Qing said.

Upon hearing this, Nongyu showed no disappointment. Instead, she rose, knelt before Xu Qing, and looked up at him, saying...
"Imperial Physician, thank you for telling me the truth and helping my family avenge our family. I, Nongyu, will never forget this great kindness."

"If you ever need anything in the future, I will go through fire and water for you."

Xu Qing was caught off guard by Nongyu's sudden kneeling. He got up and went forward to help her up, but Nongyu refused.

“Nongyu, the Imperial Physician is not an outsider. He will surely ask if he needs anything in the future.”

Zi Nu walked to Xu Qing's side, leaned slightly against him, and tugged at his clothes with her small hand, indicating that she should agree to the matter first.

Xu Qing glanced at Zi Nu, swallowed back the flirtatious words he was about to say, and said quietly.
“Miss Zi Nu is right. I will ask if I need to.”

"Please do not forget, Imperial Physician."

Seeing that Xu Qing had agreed, Nongyu slowly stood up.

"Imperial Physician, when do you plan to have Nongyu and Madam Hu recognize each other?" Zi Nu asked.

"Liu Yi will be going to guard the border the day after tomorrow. That day will be my last day to see the people this year. Tomorrow I will go to the palace to see Consort Hu and ask her to inform Lady Hu of the news."

Xu Qing then revealed her plan.

"Two days from now?" Nongyu nodded.

"Imperial Physician, are you not planning to continue seeing patients?" Zi Nu asked, somewhat surprised.

“The weather is getting colder and colder. If I continue to see patients, I’m afraid these patients will freeze to death before their illnesses even manifest,” Xu Qing said.

Besides the weather, it's also because there are fewer and fewer patients seeking medical treatment.

After several busy months, Xu Qing wouldn't say she treated over a thousand people, but she certainly treated several hundred.

If Xin Zheng still has so many patients under such a high-intensity schedule of consultations, then he should start to suspect that someone is trying to use the guise of seeking medical treatment to swindle him out of medicinal herbs.

"I see."

After Xu Qing and Nongyu finalized the details of the mother-daughter reunion, Xu Qing, escorted by Zi Nu, headed out of Zi Lan Xuan.

Zi Nu, her arms wrapped around Xu Qing's, leaned against him with a blissful expression. Xu Qing, on the other hand, looked smug and occasionally greeted the people in the hall. The dignitaries also greeted Xu Qing with smiles, their eyes filled with envy. As regulars at Zi Lan Xuan, how could they not see what had happened between Zi Nu and Xu Qing?

Zi Nu escorted Xu Qing to the place where the carriage was parked at Zi Lan Xuan, and then released Xu Qing.

"I must thank the Imperial Physician for helping Nongyu find her mother today. I express my gratitude on behalf of Nongyu," Zi Nu said with a smile.

“Since Miss Zi Nu wants to express her gratitude on behalf of Nong Yu, why not be more direct?” Xu Qing said with a smile.

Zi Nu tilted her head slightly to look at Xu Qing. She had never seen anyone so shameless as to directly ask for a thank-you gift.

"What does the Imperial Physician want?"

Zi Nu took a step forward, her slender hand gently resting on Xu Qing's chest, and looked up at him slightly.

A charming smile graced Zi Nu's pretty face, her purple eyes brimming with amusement.

Xu Qing moved slightly closer to Zi Nu and reached out her hand toward her pretty face.

What is he going to do? He probably doesn't want to...
As Xu Qing drew closer, a hint of nervousness flashed through Zi Nu's heart. Although she had feelings for Xu Qing, it hadn't come to this yet.

Just as Zi Nu was about to back down and refuse Xu Qing, things didn't go as she expected. Xu Qing suddenly took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her eyes.

"It's nothing, I just hope that Miss Zi Nu won't wear such heavy makeup in the future. You're not suited to such heavy makeup."

"I don't have time today, but I'll talk to you about it in detail later and help you choose a suitable makeup look."

Xu Qing looked at the purple butterfly pattern she had wiped away, a gentle smile on her face.

Zi Nu still looks beautiful now, but she has lost some of her charm and gained more elegance and gentleness, which is more in line with her real age, like a blooming rose.

Zi Nu reached out and touched the corner of her eye that had been wiped, staring blankly at Xu Qing.

"Alright, Miss Zi Nu, it's getting late, so I'll take my leave now."

Xu Qing bowed slightly, turned and left, leaving Zi Nu with a graceful silhouette.

"Imperial Physician, please wait."

Zi Nu watched Xu Qing's departing figure, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

She knew, of course, that such heavy makeup didn't suit her, but she needed to use this look to protect herself.

She is the proprietress of Zilanxuan, and if her attire is too understated, it would obviously be unsuitable for a place like Zilanxuan.

"Could you help me choose a suitable makeup look next time? What do you know about makeup, you're a grown man?"

Zi Nu said she was disgusted, but the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. Thinking of Xu Qing's gentle smile just now, a subtle emotion flashed in her eyes.

After watching Xu Qing's figure completely disappear around the street corner, Zi Nu reluctantly came back to her senses and turned to walk towards Zi Lan Xuan.

Looking at the brightly lit Zilan Pavilion, Zi Nu touched the corner of her eye again, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. Then, her charming smile reappeared on her face, and she walked into the Zilan Pavilion.

After returning to the second floor, Zi Nu went to the room next to Xu Qing's private room.

Wei Zhuang was sitting in the room waiting for Zi Nu, and he glanced meaningfully at the makeup that had been wiped off the corner of Zi Nu's eyes.

"Has the person already left?" Wei Zhuang asked.

“They’ve already left. You must have heard about what happened with Nongyu’s parents, right?” Zi Nu said.

Wei Zhuang revealed a mocking smile, his face full of disdain, and said coldly.

"The story he told was beautiful, but behind this beauty, there was still the dirty trade of power, wealth and beauty."

"Li Kai is Han Wang An's man, and Liu Yi is Ji Wu Ye's man. Their struggle for the wealth of Huoyu Manor is more like a struggle for the future of Han's discourse power."

"As the richest man in Baiyue, Huoyu Gong would certainly have sought refuge during the war, and the Han army, which had the advantage in the war at that time, was the best choice."

"As for the love between Madam Hu and Li Kai, it was essentially nothing more than a transaction. In exchange for the wealth of Huoyu Manor and Madam Hu, Li Kai and Han Jun were given protection."

"The mutual affection between Madam Hu and Li Kai prevented this deal from becoming so ugly. It's just a pity that Liu Yi, the Left Sima who was not selected, and Ji Wuye behind him, would not easily admit defeat."

"It is obvious that King Han An ultimately failed, and Ji Wuye did not achieve complete victory either. Instead, Liu Yi reaped this enormous fortune."

"This also explains why King Han An voluntarily handed over his military power. He was even foolish enough to believe that his confidant Li Kai would defect to the enemy and betray the country."

"It's truly surprising that such a fool could become the King of Han. No wonder this country has fallen to such a state."

Hearing Wei Zhuang's cold evaluation, Zi Nu simply shook her head slightly.

How could she not see the deal behind this? She just didn't want to add another layer of heaviness to Nongyu's tragic past.

"Speaking of all this, what do you think of him?" Zi Nu asked with a hint of anticipation.

"Is it Xu Qing, the Imperial Physician? Although he has begun to participate in the Korean government, he is not the cooperation target I want," Wei Zhuang said, shaking his head slightly.

For others, Xu Qing, this rising star in the imperial court, might be an opportunity that is hard to come by, but for him, it was not the best choice.

In his view, although Xu Qing held a high position and great power, he was like a castle in the air, a pawn that Han Wang An had promoted.

It would be very dangerous to cooperate with someone like that. Besides, he still doesn't know Xu Qing's background, so naturally he wouldn't cooperate with someone who is full of mystery.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Zi Nu's eyes. She really hoped that Wei Zhuang could cooperate with Xu Qing, but she couldn't explain why for the time being.

"So are you going to keep waiting? The situation in South Korea is getting more and more serious. If Liu Yi dies in Xu Qing's plan, it will be even more dangerous for you to get involved again," Zi Nu said.

"The Ninth Prince from South Korea who went to Xiaoshengxianzhuang to study is about to return."

“Although Xu Qing will affect South Korea, the return of this Ninth Prince is more like throwing a boulder into a calm lake, exposing the undercurrents beneath the surface,” Wei Zhuang said.

"So your choice is this Ninth Young Master Han Fei?"

"I just think he has a greater influence on South Korea. As for whether he is a target for cooperation, it depends on whether he can arouse my interest."

Upon hearing this, Zi Nu said nothing more, got up, and walked outside.

"I'll go check on Nongyu's situation. Hopefully, this Ninth Young Master will pique your interest."

Watching the door close again, Wei Zhuang got up and walked to the window, looking at the majestic Han Palace not far away, a trace of memories and complex emotions flashing in his eyes.

(End of this chapter)